Holdout Extends Into Regular Season: A Rare NFL Occurrence
In the volatile world of professional football, holdouts extending into the regular season are a rare spectacle. Haason Reddick's ongoing situation with the New York Jets has become a notable exception. The former Philadelphia Eagles star, who was traded to the Jets at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, finds himself at the center of a dispute that has yet to be resolved.
Reddick's impressive performance over recent years has significantly exceeded his contract valuation. During his tenure with the Eagles, he achieved a career-high 16 sacks in his first year and recorded double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons. Despite signing a three-year, $45 million contract, his on-field exploits have underscored an increasing discrepancy between his pay and his contributions.
The Jets Impose Fines and Penalties
The tension between Reddick and the Jets became publicly apparent when he skipped the mandatory June minicamp. The absence resulted in a fine of $101,716. As training camp progressed, Reddick continued his holdout, driving the Jets to issue further penalties. For each of the 41 days he missed during the training camp, he incurred fines amounting to $50,000 per day, culminating in a staggering $2.05 million.
In addition to these fines, Reddick faced penalties equal to one week's base salary for each of the three preseason games he sat out, totaling $2.375 million. Moreover, the Jets have the option to reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the prorated $2.743 million for his 2024 contract year.
Entering the regular season presented another layer of financial repercussions for Reddick. Each week of absence costs him $791,667 in base salary. After missing the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary reached $2.375 million. These mounting fines and lost wages have accumulated to significant financial strain, yet Reddick has remained firm in his stance for a revised contract.
Historical Holdouts: Context and Consequences
Navigating the negotiation waters, both Reddick and the Jets are likely mindful of historical precedents involving high-profile holdouts. The Seattle Seahawks lost a grievance in 1999 when they attempted to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout. This case has set a significant precedent for similar scenarios, potentially influencing how the Jets approach Reddick's contract situation.
Several notable recent holdouts in the NFL underscore the complexity of such situations. In 2015, Kam Chancellor’s 54-day holdout over contract disputes lengthened until Seattle's second game loss, moving nearly $3.1 million forward in his contract. Conversely, Duane Brown in 2017 and Melvin Gordon in 2019 experienced varying levels of success with their respective holdouts. While Gordon's holdout lasted up to the fourth week, giving rise to Austin Ekeler's breakout performance, Brown’s ended without a new contract, eventually leading to a trade to the Seahawks shortly after his return.
Le’Veon Bell’s decision to sit out the entire 2018 season rather than play under a franchise tag became a notable full-season boycott. He became the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998. More recently, Chris Jones's 51-day holdout in 2023 resulted in approximately $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. Though some contractual adjustments were made upon his return, no long-term deal was finalized. Similarly, Trent Williams’ 2019 holdout over dissatisfaction with medical treatment did not yield changes to his contract. These precedents illustrate the diverse and often difficult pathways holdouts can traverse.
Current and Future Negotiations
The Jets have dismissed a trade request from Reddick made during training camp. With the NFL trade deadline set for Week 9, specifically November 5, both the player and the team are on a precise timeline for resolving the dispute. Additionally, the NFLPA has highlighted that the deadline for signing unsigned franchise and transition players, as well as draft picks and restricted free agents, is the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season, specifically November 12 for this year.
As both sides navigate this impasse, the outcome remains uncertain. The potential for contract tolling looms if Reddick sits out the entire season—an action that adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga. The protracted nature of Reddick's holdout has cast a spotlight on the intricate balance between player value and team finances, a balance that continues to shift in the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.